If you've ever been to a Houston Swing Out event, you have seen folks having a great time dancing Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing (with some Charleston, Balboa, Blues, and West Coast Swing mixed in just for fun). The number one question we get at these events is "Where can I learn to swing dance?" In Houston, the simple answer is "all over town!".
Popular choices for learning Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing include...
- Houston Swing Dance Society (HSDS)
- Second Cup Swing
- SSQQ Dance Studio
- Rice Social Dance Society (RSDS)
Just getting started dancing? Or not sure what the difference is between Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing? Consider starting with East Coast Swing -- generally a very beginner-friendly dance! What you learn in one style of dance will give you a boost for learning other styles: you'll commonly find people who have taken lessons in multiple dances!
Studios and instructors differ mostly in how they gear their swing dance curriculum. HSDS puts more emphasis on Lindy Hop, while SSQQ focuses their swing program mainly on East Coast Swing (aka Jitterbug or 6-Count Swing). Second Cup Swing emphasizes connection fundamentals and true lead/follow techniques that serve well across all forms of dancing.While the choices presented here are certainly the most popular for learning Swing in Houston, they are by no means the only ones! It is beneficial to take lessons from more than one instructor so be sure to try as many studios as you can.
With so many good choices, your decision may come down to which day of the week works best!
Studios and classes around Houston:
Houston Swing Dance Society (HSDS)What about dance partners? In (almost) all cases, you do not need to bring a partner! Typically you'll rotate partners in class and dance with everyone before the hour's up! (and this is, not coincidentally, the fastest way to learn lead/follow partner dancing.)
3027 Crossview Dr, Houston, TX 77063 (Map)
Monthly Lessons: $15 General Public, $10 Students; Annual Membership Fee: $25 General Public, $15 Students.The Houston Swing Dance Society is a non-profit (as if you couldn't tell from those prices) dance club that specializes in teaching Lindy Hop. People new to dancing begin with a basic East Coast Swing program that is designed to get folks on the dance floor as soon as possible. After a few weeks they start learning Lindy Hop, considered by many to be a more difficult but rewarding dance.
Regular lessons are held every Sunday evening starting at 6:30pm, followed by social dancing from 8:30-10:30pm.
Each year HSDS sponsors events including the annual Harvest Moon Ball, and the Great Southwest Lindyfest -- one of the country's premier lindy hop workshops.
Second Cup Swing
Beginning Lessons at Taft Street Coffee
2115 Taft St, Houston, TX 77006 (Map)
Six-Week Sessions: $50 General Public, $35 Students and Ecclesia Members.
Well reviewed by their students, Second Cup Swing teaches lessons emphasizing true lead follow swing with energy and connection.
Classes are led by Hank Hauffe, an experienced swing dancer and instructor who has taught for both the Houston Swing Dance Society and Rice Social Dance Society, and who established Second Cup Swing's Monday night lesson program in 2004. Instructors Hank, Jen, and Hailey distinguish themselves from most swing instructors by really getting into the nitty gritty of energy, frame, connection, and other fundamental swing dance concepts for new students.
The curriculum progresses over six weeks, and both 6-Count "Jitterbug" Swing and Lindy Hop are addressed as "it's all swing". Second Cup Swing sponsors regular weekly dances at Te House of Tea and monthly dances at Taft St. Coffee in addition to lessons.
SSQQ Dance Studio (SSQQ)
4803 Bissonnet St, Bellaire, TX 77401 (Map)
Monthly Classes: $50 Men, $40 Women.
SSQQ offers a wide range of classes every day of the week and is the largest and most widely-known dance studio in Houston. If you have ever picked up a Leisure Learning pamphlet, you may recognize SSQQ as the studio that dominates the dance instruction section. SSQQ has a well-developed East Coast Swing curriculum and occasionally offers Lindy Hop and Charleston classes. SSQQ also sponsors a number of dance parties throughout the year including the popular Sock Hop Swing party, and Halloween costume/dance party.
Rice Social Dance Society (RSDS)
Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005 (Map)
Semester (~3 Months) Class Fee: $50 General Public, $10 Rice Students, $20 Rice Affiliates (Faculty, Staff & Alumni)
As you will discover on their website, the Rice Social Dance Society (RSDS) teaches a wide variety of dances. The classes are typically taught and attended by Rice University students, though there are exceptions and they do have a very affordable "Community/General Public" option. They have an all-you-can-eat buffet approach to classes -- pay one fee and you can attend all of the classes they teach (Swing, Tango, Ballroom, etc.) for an entire semester. Along with HSDS, RSDS co-sponsors the annual Harvest Moon Ball.
But wait...there's more!
Now that you know about your options for learning Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing in Houston, there is a related dance you may want to consider learning - West Coast Swing. Like its similarly named cousin, West Coast Swing is a descendant of Lindy Hop. It is a great choice to consider if you would like to learn a smooth, provocative swing dance that pairs well with medium-tempo rhythm & blues and contemporary, beat-driven pop music. Organizations in the Houston area that offer West Coast Swing dance lessons include: Southwest Whip Club, Damico Dance Productions, Appel Dance, Bay Area Whip Dance Club, Houston Whip Club, North Houston Swing Dance Club, Strictly Whip, Cypress Dance Studio, and SSQQ.
[revised 9/24/2008]
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